Saturday, March 29, 2008

Slowing Down a Little

Scott Speed has an itchy trigger foot. He’s desperate to finally press the pedal in the middle because oval-track racing requires little or no braking. But that’s not the case at Martinsville, where the red-hot glow of burning brakes partially defines racing at NASCAR’s shortest track.

Driving Morgan Dollar Motorsports’ Red Bull-sponsored No. 46, Speed will start 17th in his second Craftsman Truck race in today’s Kroger 250 (3 p.m. ET, Fox). It’s an ideal situation for Speed — racing at a track where tight turns are separated by long straightaways. At Martinsville, it’s all about entry and exit.

“Actually used the brakes quite a lot. It’s been a while since I used those,” Speed said. “For an oval, (Martinsville) felt the most natural. The corners are pretty low banked. Driving those corners felt like driving on corners I have my whole life.”

On a side truck note, Mike Skinner, who drives the No. 84 in Sprint Cup, is going for a Martinsville three-peat. He swept both truck races last season at the .526-mile track, and he’s the series’ only three-time winner at Martinsville. His first victory came in the fall 1996, and he’ll start 20th today.

Scott Speed with a top ten at martenville. all i can say is AJ you better put up or shut up or you'll be watching scott speed pilot the 84 next year which wouldn't hurt my feeling. keep it going scott.

Next year? If AJ gets back in the 84 and still can't perform up to that cars potential, I wouldn't be surprised to see Speed in earlier than that.

And Speed is good for NASCAR. The sport and the fan base is full of conservative, uncultured rednecks who need to experience the fact that there are different people in the world. I hope Scott keeps up his unique looks because I, as a bisexual guy, think he's gorgeous.

So..... how's this experiment of having Mike Skinner mentoring the #84 working for RBRT? As I write this the #83 is in the top ten and the #84 is 4 laps down. So the #83 must have something figured out. Why not try true teamwork and have Brian help the #84 and AJ instead of someone from the outside? Great race Brian and the #83 team. Keep it up.

There is definately something up with the 84 team and AJ is NOT the problem. Skinner can't do anything better with that team. Give AJ a number one caliber team and watch him shine!! He is a great driver and deserves better than what he is getting!!!

The 84 team has some serious problems and I think the last few weeks have shown it is NOT the driver. If thats what they were trying to find out by putting Mike in the car, then I think they have the answer. Good job by the 83 team!

Great effort by the 83 team, even though they ran out of gas there at the end. Something has to be wrong with the 84 - Skinner's got a hell of a track record at Martinsville in the somewhat similar trcuks, and for him to finish 4 laps down, man, that's not good.

Good effort for the #83 team but like someone said the object of the game is not to beat ourselves and that is exactly what they did.When you’re in the top 10 for most of the race you have got to capitalize on it because it doesn’t happen every race!

what the hell kinda call is that not to pit with 100 to go, we were running top 12 the whole race, for 10 fricking spots after pit spots, all but 3 cars pit, unreal call, top 12 all race and we end up 29th, good run for 400 laps, then Hamlin goes brain dead, sorry guys and gals but crappy call at the end, just my thoughts on the day, top 15 is better tan 3 laps down and 29th, we would have been 14th in pts with good run now 20th, still numb from not pitting with 100 to go, WOW

We've established that the 83 is a very good operation right now. The fact that Skinner crashed several times doesn't account for the pitiful performance of that car today. All he ever did was spin without any serious contact. If that car had been anywhere near as good as the 83, they would have been able to battle back. I think someone needs to have their operations examined and we may need to go after some new technicians.

okay, look at the bright side. the #83 team was running and holding in 2nd for a long while. Martinsville, one of the team's WORST tracks. the flat track program is WAY better than it was last year. it clearly showed today.

now.. imagine how good they'll be next week at Texas. i don't know about you know about you guys, but the way i see it i think the #83 team can win at Texas.

In answer to the comment above- yes, Mike was in several incidents and I dont believe anyone here has belittled him or his driving. If he had a decent car under him he could have battled back from those. I agree with Suzie - they need to look at the people making the calls behind the car. Maybe time to make a switch on crew chiefs / engineers, like they did with BV. The reason behind putting Mike in was to evaluate the 84 team. Though he qualified for the races his finishes havent been much better than AJs. They wanted to find out if it was lack of experience on AJs part and they cant use that excuse with having someone like MS in the car. Just my 2cents.